Thank you for signing the petition regarding the removal of pram/buggy space on Lothian Buses. At time of writing, we have reached approximately 3,500 signatures. 

This story has also been featured in several news outlets, including coverage on STV. We have also submitted letters to relevant elected representatives and organisations (highlighting the issues raised in the petition as well as your responses to the petition outlining your own experiences). 

Please consider attending the upcoming public meeting of the Edinburgh Bus Users Group - which Richard Hall, Managing Director of Lothian Buses will be speaking at. This takes place Thursday 2nd May, at 6 pm at the Friends Meeting House on Victoria Street. Details here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/edinburgh-bus-users-group-public-meeting-tickets-59046699267?fbclid=IwAR2_58uY1pPOBsz_bs3efqA5nD4x5x00vBGBrPL-zt0QMtQmRnWzF3vdx3E

Please also consider writing to your elected representatives and Lothian Buses over this issue. A condensed version of the petition and wider letter is included below if this might be useful as a template, but please share your experiences.

You can find your councillors here: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/councillors/search

You can find your MSPs here: http://www.parliament.scot/mspfinder/index.html 

Thank you for your support,

SPS Maternity

(a group of parents and carers based at the University of Edinburgh)

PETITION/LETTER TEMPLATE

Dear [Name]
 
We are writing to raise our concerns regarding the new fleet of 100-seat double decker buses rolled out by Lothian Buses (specifically the 100-seat Enviro400XLB three-axel double decker vehicles). Until now many of the operator’s buses in Edinburgh have been relatively child-friendly – with both a dedicated wheelchair space and an additional pram/buggy space provided. However, Lothian Buses have removed the dedicated pram/buggy space; the new fleet has only one space for either a wheelchair or (if unoccupied) a pram/buggy or other users. This is a step backwards for access and inclusion.
 
Lothian Buses’ decision in this case shows a lack of commitment to ensuring access for all members of the community – including parents or carers with children. Parents and carers need to get to the GP; to support groups; to nursery; to work. If these single spaces are full, these passengers must either wait for another bus, or fold up their pram and carry their child on board. Multiple complaints have been made to the operator about long waits for buses with available spaces – waits that parents and carers can often ill afford. Nor can passengers predict which type of bus will arrive and whether it will have available space on it. Moreover, much of the new fleet has very little luggage or storage space for a folded pram/buggy – calling into question yet again the extent to which parents and carers have been considered in the design and requisition process.
 
Since launching a petition regarding this issue (receiving approx. 3,500 signatures at the time of writing[1]), numerous people have shared stories of how important access to public transport is for them, and their struggles using the new bus model. [INSERT OWN EXPERIENCES IF APPROPRIATE]
 
As a signatory to the above petition, we want Lothian Buses to:
- Provide a full and complete account of the decision-making and consultation process used to procure the new fleet with the removal of the provision of dedicated pram/buggy spaces;
- Provide a full and complete breakdown of the new fleet including routes and roll out plans, and any pending or forthcoming additions to the fleet with regards to provision of wheelchair and pram/buggy space.
 
We ask you to help us to engage with Lothian Buses to encourage them to:
- Commit to a review of its conditions of carriage with regards to pram space, and provide a commitment to a designated pram/buggy space in addition to a dedicated wheelchair space on all buses in the fleet;
- Modify the 100-seat buses with only one wheelchair/pram space to add another bay area that can be used for prams/buggies (for example, by removing some existing seats).
- Modify the bus tracking system and app with clear information about whether buses are pram/buggy accessible, and (if possible) whether the accessible spaces are occupied.
- Commit to redesigning the buses in future procurement
- Establish a parent/carer service user consultation group that should be included in discussions on future design and service changes.
- Provide training for all bus drivers regarding accessibility, including wheelchairs, prams and buggies (e.g. distance from curb, help on and off the bus, communicating with users about space and access).
 
Please can you contribute to holding Lothian Buses to account and seek a commitment from them for the improvements outlined above.

Edinburgh passengers need more accessible spaces on their buses, not less.
 
Kind regards
 
[NAME AND CONTACT DETAILS]
 

[1]https://www.change.org/p/lothian-buses-parents-need-to-use-lothian-buses-too